# Brazil pharmaceutical expansion

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/brazil-pharmaceutical-expansion
> Updated: 2026-07-29T20:17:45.000Z. Sources: 8. Developments: 2.

In early July, Brazilian drugmakers EMS and FarmaUSA announced large‑scale capacity upgrades, signalling a push to increase manufacturing output. By month‑end, Rio de Janeiro‑based ALKO do Brasil prepared to launch its first prescription‑only medical‑cannabis product, targeting thousands of units in hundreds of pharmacies, while the pharmacy federation Fecofar reported rapid growth of its dermocosmetics program across multiple networks.

Later in July, ALKO refined its rollout plan, aiming to introduce the cannabis medication between August and September, with an initial target of 5,000 units and placement in 500 pharmacy points, later expanding to 1,500 locations and pricing below the market average. Blau Farmacêutica disclosed a R$1.5 billion investment for plant upgrades, drug development and acquisitions, including certification of its Cotia facility to produce the monoclonal antibody pembrolizumab and the purchase of the Bergamo laboratory. IQVIA projected total pharmaceutical sales to reach R$24.35 billion in July, a 10.6 % year‑over‑year rise, while online pharmacy sales grew 48.7 % from 2024 to 2025, reaching R$19.56 billion (17 % of revenue). Assaí Farma opened a second São Paulo pharmacy, part of a plan for 25 stores by end‑2026, offering around 10,000 SKUs and new health services.

## Claims

- ALKO do Brasil will launch its first cannabis-based medication in Brazil between August and September, aiming to sell 5,000 units in the first ten months. (single source)
- ALKO plans to distribute the product through up to 500 pharmacy points in the first quarter, expanding to 1,500 pharmacies within ten months. (single source)
- Blau Farmacêutica has invested a total of R$1.5 billion in industrial expansion, research and development, and acquisitions since its IPO. (single source)
- Blau's Cotia (SP) facility received certification to produce pembrolizumab, its first monoclonal antibody for oncology. (single source)
- IQVIA projects the Brazilian pharmaceutical market to reach R$24.35 billion in sales in July, a 10.6% year‑over‑year increase, with 764.3 million units sold. (single source)
- Online sales of pharmacy chains in Brazil grew 48.7% from 2024 to 2025, reaching R$19.56 billion and representing 17% of total revenue. (single source)
- The non‑medicine category in Brazilian pharmacies generated R$35.78 billion between October 2024 and September 2025, a 10.13% increase. (single source)
- Assaí Farma opened its second pharmacy unit in São Paulo on 31 July, part of a plan to open 25 units by end‑2026, each offering about 10,000 SKUs. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-07-29: Brazil's pharma sector expands with cannabis launch, biotech funding and digital pharmacy growth

Brazil's pharma sector sees a cannabis product launch by ALKO, R$1.5 bn biotech investment by Blau, a July market forecast of R$24.35 bn, 48.7% growth in online pharmacy sales, and Assaí Farma's second store.

8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/brazilian-pharmaceutical-firms-expand-product-lines-with-cannabis-and-dermocosmetics

### 2026-07-01: Brazil pharma firms EMS, FarmaUSA launch major capacity expansions

EMS invests R$1 bn to expand its Manaus plant, while FarmaUSA nationalises cannabis production in Brazil, planning a new plant and product line, highlighting rapid growth in the local pharma sector.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/brazil-pharma-firms-ems-farmausa-launch-major-capacity-expansions

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Cite as: Brazil pharmaceutical expansion. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/brazil-pharmaceutical-expansion